Georgian UNM opposition meets UK lawmaker to discuss ‘democratic backsliding’

A delegation from Georgia’s opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), has met with British MP Blair McDougall of the ruling Labour Party during a visit to the United Kingdom, the party’s press service reported on Thursday.

The delegation, composed of senior UNM figures Tina Bokuchava, Petre Tsiskarishvili, and Levan Sanikidze, raised concerns over what they described as increasing authoritarianism in Georgia. Topics discussed included the Georgian government’s recent passage of “repressive legislation,” the alleged persecution of political opponents, pressure on civil society and independent media, and a growing number of what the party called “political prisoners.”

The UNM delegation also called for increased international pressure on Georgia’s ruling authorities, urging the imposition of further sanctions targeting Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, who they accuse of exercising undue influence over state institutions.

The meeting further addressed recent diplomatic developments, specifically Syria’s decision to reverse its recognition of the Russian-occupied Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. The opposition leaders suggested that the UK could play a vital role in supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity in similar international contexts.